An XL Bully dog named Bronson has left a delivery driver scarred for life after biting into his arm in a terrifying attack on a residential street.
Nazir Shabar was dropping off parcels in the St Julians area of Newport in Wales when the dangerous breed clamped its gnashers into him.
The “large and powerful” dog, which was being looked after by Stephen Halliday for his son, leapt at the victim on Constable Drive.
Shabar “feared for his life” and the dog started to shake its head after locking its jaws around his forearm.
XL Bullies have been added to the Dangerous Dogs Act (stock pic)
Wikimedia Commons LicencesThe delivery driver was dropping off a takeaway to Halliday at the time of the attack.
Shabar only managed to escape from Bronson after he managed to wrestle himself free and climb over a nearby fence.
He spent 11 days in hospital as a result of his injuries.
Shabar also underwent surgery three times and needed skin grafts on his forearm.
Halliday is now being prosecuted for being in charge of a dog that was dangerously out of control.
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Constable Drive in Newport where the attack happened
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The 53-year-old, who has 15 previous convictions for a total of 51 unrelated offences, pleaded guilty to the offence.
The incident, which took place before Rishi Sunak announced plans to ban XL Bully dogs last autumn, occurred on Halloween night in 2022.
Halliday was serving a suspended prison sentence at the time of the offence for possession of a blade in public and assaulting a police officer.
Joshua Scouller, representing Halliday, said: “They were truly horrific injuries and the defendant feels truly remorseful. The dog was large and powerful.”
Scouller, who claimed Halliday was “shocked and traumatised” by the incident as he attempted to stop Bronson, argued the attack was “out of character” for the dog as he accused police of an “egregious” delay in bringing the case the court.
The attack took place before Rishi Sunak's ban on XL Bullies (stock pic)
PAJudge Paul Hobson told Halliday: “The victim did not work in that role usually and was doing it as a favour for a friend of his on the night when this happened. He feared for his life and with little wonder.”
Halliday was sentenced to an 18-month community order and must complete a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
He was made the subject of a three-month electronically monitored curfew between 7pm and 7am.
The defendant must also pay a statutory victim surcharge.